DOCSLIB.ORG

SPACE RESEARCH in POLAND Report to COMMITTEE

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
SPACE RESEARCH in POLAND Report to COMMITTEE SPACE RESEARCH IN POLAND Report to COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2020 Space Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences and The Committee on Space and Satellite Research PAS Report to COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) ISBN 978-83-89439-04-8 First edition © Copyright by Space Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences and The Committee on Space and Satellite Research PAS Warsaw, 2020 Editor: Iwona Stanisławska, Aneta Popowska Report to COSPAR 2020 1 SATELLITE GEODESY Space Research in Poland 3 1. SATELLITE GEODESY Compiled by Mariusz Figurski, Grzegorz Nykiel, Paweł Wielgosz, and Anna Krypiak-Gregorczyk Introduction This part of the Polish National Report concerns research on Satellite Geodesy performed in Poland from 2018 to 2020. The activity of the Polish institutions in the field of satellite geodesy and navigation are focused on the several main fields: • global and regional GPS and SLR measurements in the frame of International GNSS Service (IGS), International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), European Reference Frame Permanent Network (EPN), • Polish geodetic permanent network – ASG-EUPOS, • modeling of ionosphere and troposphere, • practical utilization of satellite methods in local geodetic applications, • geodynamic study, • metrological control of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment, • use of gravimetric satellite missions, • application of GNSS in overland, maritime and air navigation, • multi-GNSS application in geodetic studies. Report to COSPAR 2020 4 These activities were conducted mainly at the following research centers: • Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT) • Faculty of Mining Surveying and Environmental Engineering, Department of Integrated Geodesy and Cartography, AGH University of Science and Technology • Department of Geodesy, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) • Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics (IGG), Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr) • Department of Geodesy and Geodetic Astronomy Warsaw University of Technology • Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Military University of Technology (MUT) • Department of Planetary Geodesy, The Space Research Centre • The Space Research Centre’s Astrogeodynamical Observatory in Borowiec • Central Office of Measures (GUM) • Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute (IMGW). This Report was compiled from information reported in a period from 2018 to 2020 by the correspondents from Polish institutions involved in the use of satellite navigation systems. Space Research in Poland 5 1.1 Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT) Nykiel G., Figurski M., Baldysz Z. GNSS meteorology GUT have continued work related to the using of GNSS technique for meteorological application. This time, the special focus was put on the investigation of rapid and heavy weather event (derecho) occurred in Poland on 11th August 2017 (Nykiel et al. 2019). Observations from 278 GNSS permanent stations evenly distributed throughout Poland were used for this purpose. The zenith total delays (ZTD) with a 5-minute interval were estimated using Bernese GNSS Software (ver. 5.2) using PPP mode, and converted to the precipitable water vapour (PWV) parameters. Based on such prepared data two- dimensional maps of PWV distribution were created and compared with the composite reflectivity maps derived from EIG EUMETNET. Analysis of the obtained results has shown that changes of the PWV over Poland between 19:30 and 20:30 (UTC) clearly match changes of the refractivity at the same time (Fig. 1.1). The maximum PWV was observed at 20:30 and its value exceed 51 mm, which was twice as high as average PWV value in Poland. Generally, the precipitation zone was identified for the area with PWV exceeding 40 mm. Thanks to the dense network of GNSS receivers, PWV maps for the time between 16:30 and 22:00 have shown movement of the storm along with information about its intensity. It was state out that denser network of GNSS stations would improve these results, which is especially important since GNSS can provide data in real-time. Report to COSPAR 2020 6 Fig. 1.1. Composite reflectivity data maps with 2-km spatial resolution (top) and GNSS PWV maps interpolated from observations from the dense network of the GNSS receivers (bottom) over the study area on 11th August 2017 (19:30 to 20:30 UTC) in 30-minute steps. Next to the PWV, also 15-minute tropospheric gradients were analysed in this study. Since tropospheric gradients indicate anisotropy in the atmosphere, they should reflect changes in the troposphere caused by the weather events. Results have shown, that having a dense network of GNSS permanent stations, it is possible to indicate area characterized by the highest reflectivity (Fig. 1.2). Gradients estimated at 19:30 and 20:00 clearly pointed storm front, which was evidenced by both their size and direction. Although GNSS tropospheric gradients have limited range due to the number of stations and observed satellites, presented maps have shown that they can constitute for a valuable source of data for tasks related to the analysis of location and propagation of heavy weather events. Space Research in Poland 7 Fig. 1.2. Gridded gradients estimated from the GNSS observations (left: 19:30 UTC; right: 20:00 UTC) on the background of the composite reflectivity derived from the meteorological radars. A detailed analysis of the case study (PIWN station) confirmed high agreement between estimated GNSS PWV and PWV obtained from microwave radiometer (MWR), as well as with precipitation from meteorological radars and reflectivity data (Fig. 1.3). As it can be noticed, through all day GNSS and microwave radiometer gave similar results. A dash line in MWR during the main phase of the storm means that there was no possibility to conduct reliable MWR measurements. In contrast to this GNSS, as a weather independent technique, provided PWV data continuously with high accuracy. The maximum value of GNSS PWV, precipitation and reflectivity occurred at a similar time. A small shift between these three values results most probably from the temporal resolution of the analysed data. Both Precipitation and reflectivity were available every 30 minutes, while GNSS PWV was estimated every 5 minutes. Report to COSPAR 2020 8 Fig. 1.3. GNSS PWV (the black line), microwave radiometer PWV (MWR) (the red line), precipitation derived from the meteorological radars (blue bars) and the reflectivity measurements (purple) at PIWN station on 11th August 2017. GNSS ionospheric soundings The GUT team continue research related to the ionospheric inhomogeneities based on GNSS measurements. Nykiel et al. (2019) describe the method of estimating the height of the ionospheric disturbances based on a dense network of GNSS receivers and near zenith satellites. The presented method was originally used to detect ionospheric disturbances, its modelling and determination of its parameters (Nykiel et al., 2017). However, two separately created maps derived from observations from two GNSS satellites allow determination of the height of ionospheric inhomogeneities (HII) by the cross-correlation computation (Fig. 1.4). The presented method describes the characteristics of the ionospheric disturbances in the 4D space: latitude, longitude, time, and altitude. Space Research in Poland 9 Fig. 1.4. Scheme of the idea of the height of ionospheric inhomogeneities (HII) estimation. Signals from two GNSS satellites (SV1 and SV2) are received by the dense network of GNSS stations (black dots). Based on the acquired observations, two independently ionospheric inhomogeneities maps are created (blue and red area). The correlation coefficients are calculated for the common area. The whole process is repeated for several heights of the ionospheric layer. The highest correlation coefficient correspond to the actual HII. In Nykiel et al. (2019) results of the HII estimation during a geomagnetic storm in March 2013 were presented. It was state that during quiet geomagnetic conditions, estimated HII are similar to the height of F2 layer (hmF2) derived from the ionosondes. However, during the active phase of the storm, the HII increased significantly. This proved to be convergent with the changes of the slab ionospheric thickness and protons flux at the POES satellites orbit over Europe (Fig. 1.5). Report to COSPAR 2020 10 Fig. 1.5. Changes of the estimated height of the ionospheric inhomogeneities (HII) for the analysed period of time (March 13–20, 2013). Red diamonds: the HII obtained near 07 UTC from the maps derived from SV01 and SV32. Black diamonds: the HII obtained near 10 UTC from the maps derived from SV13 and SV23. As a comparison the slab thickness of ionosphere (blue solid line), the logarithm of the intensity of protons flux (mep0p1) at the POES satellites orbit over Europe (magenta dashed line), and hmF2 for corresponding epochs (orange circles) are shown. 푻풎 − 푻풔 empirical coefficients for the GNSS meteorology Another work undertaken at GUT was focus on improvement of water vapour weighted mean temperature (푇푚) estimation based on surface temperature (푇푠). The 푇푚 is a necessary factor for conversion ZTD to PWV/IWV. However, since its in-situ measurements do not provide as high temporal and spatial resolution as in case of GNSS measurements, there is necessity of using an empirical models to obtain 푇푚 value
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Issues Paper on Exploring Space Technologies for Sustainable Development and the Benefits of International Research Collaboration in This Context
    United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development Inter-sessional Panel 2019-2020 7-8 November 2019 Geneva, Switzerland Issues Paper on Exploring space technologies for sustainable development and the benefits of international research collaboration in this context Draft Not to be cited Prepared by UNCTAD Secretariat1 18 October 2019 1 Contributions from the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United States of America, as well as from the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the World Food Programme are gratefully acknowledged. Contents Table of figures ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Table of boxes ......................................................................................................................................... 3 I. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 4 II. Space technologies for the Sustainable Development Goals ......................................................... 5 1. Food security and agriculture ..................................................................................................... 5 2. Health applications ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Seventy-Ninth Annual Pulaski Day Parade Sunday, October 2, 2016 Fifth Avenue, New York City
    Preliminary LONG version As of 10/1/16 SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL PULASKI DAY PARADE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2016 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY MARCH 4, OCTOBER 11, 1745 1779 2016 PULASKI PARADE GRAND MARSHAL HON. DR. DONNA KOCH-KAPTURSKI Specializes in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine in Garfield, NJ. HONORARY MARSHALS ANNA MARIA ANDERS DAUGHTER OF GENERAL WLADYSLAW ANDERS POLISH SENATOR AND PROCURATOR OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS FOR INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE STANISLAW KARCZEWSKI MARSHAL OF THE SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND BILL SHIBILSKI RADIO HOST, BROADCASTER AND PAST MC OF THE PULASKI DAY PARADE PRESIDENT RICHARD ZAWISNY GENERAL PULASKI MEMORIAL PARADE COMMITTEE, INC. Page 1 of 57 Preliminary LONG version As of 10/1/16 ASSEMBLY STREETS 39A 6TH 5TH AVE. AVE. M A 38 FLOATS 21-30 38C FLOATS 11-20 38B 38A FLOATS 1 - 10 D I S O N 37 37C 37B 37A A V E 36 36C 36B 36A 6TH 5TH AVE. AVE. Page 2 of 57 Preliminary LONG version As of 10/1/16 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE THE 79TH ANNUAL PULASKI DAY PARADE COMMEMORATING THE SACRIFICE OF OUR HERO, GENERAL CASIMIR PULASKI, FATHER OF THE AMERICAN CAVALRY, IN THE WAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE BEGINS ON FIFTH AVENUE AT 12:30 PM ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2016. THIS YEAR WE ARE CELEBRATING “POLISH- AMERICAN YOUTH, IN HONOR OF WORLD YOUTH DAY, KRAKOW, POLAND” IN 2016. THE ‘GREATEST MANIFESTATION OF POLISH PRIDE IN AMERICA’ THE PULASKI PARADE, WILL BE LED BY THE HONORABLE DR. DONNA KOCH- KAPTURSKI, A PROMINENT PHYSICIAN FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
    [Show full text]
  • TINA Small Force-Controlled Robotic Arm for Exploration and Small Satellites
    DLR.de/en TINA Small force-controlled robotic arm for exploration and small satellites Brief description The robotic arm TINA is a four-axis space demonstrator to investigate autonomous operations during exploration missions on Earth. Aims The aim of the research project is to demonstrate the technology needed for a small, force-controlled robotic arm for use in space. By selecting specific components, it is possible to use TINA in Parties involved microgravity conditions as well as on Earth. DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics Applications Facts and figures - Exploration, rover - Degrees of freedom: up to 7 - Controller: hard real time - Small satellites - Size: up to 2 m long - Radiation hardness: - Weight: 1.6 kg per joint various levels possible - Data transmission: - Tools: different end effectors can be Spacewire selected - Data rate: 3kHz - Supply voltage: +20V to +70V @DLR_en DLR.de/en TINA Small force-controlled robotic arm for exploration and small satellites The design of TINA follows the ‘qualifiable’ philosophy of DEXHAND [1], which uses industrial-grade compo- nents with a similar performance to their space equivalents and follows the ECSS guidelines closely, or uses the industrial-grade versions of radiation-hardened electronic components. This philosophy ensures that the transition to a fully qualified design can be achieved with a minimum number of changes. It also provides an almost perfect version for thermal and EMI modelling. Another big advantage is the low price compared to the fully qualified, radiation-hardened version, which allows the construction of multiple test arms for grasp- ing, object handling and many other applications. Each joint is made up of a brushless DC motor in combination with a resolver for commutation and position sensing, a harmonic drive gearbox, a brake for safety reasons and a torque sensor to give TINA the ability to ‘feel’.
    [Show full text]
  • Back to the the Future? 07> Probing the Kuiper Belt
    SpaceFlight A British Interplanetary Society publication Volume 62 No.7 July 2020 £5.25 SPACE PLANES: back to the the future? 07> Probing the Kuiper Belt 634089 The man behind the ISS 770038 Remembering Dr Fred Singer 9 CONTENTS Features 16 Multiple stations pledge We look at a critical assessment of the way science is conducted at the International Space Station and finds it wanting. 18 The man behind the ISS 16 The Editor reflects on the life of recently Letter from the Editor deceased Jim Beggs, the NASA Administrator for whom the building of the ISS was his We are particularly pleased this supreme achievement. month to have two features which cover the spectrum of 22 Why don’t we just wing it? astronautical activities. Nick Spall Nick Spall FBIS examines the balance between gives us his critical assessment of winged lifting vehicles and semi-ballistic both winged and blunt-body re-entry vehicles for human space capsules, arguing that the former have been flight and Alan Stern reports on his grossly overlooked. research at the very edge of the 26 Parallels with Apollo 18 connected solar system – the Kuiper Belt. David Baker looks beyond the initial return to the We think of the internet and Moon by astronauts and examines the plan for a how it helps us communicate and sustained presence on the lunar surface. stay in touch, especially in these times of difficulty. But the fact that 28 Probing further in the Kuiper Belt in less than a lifetime we have Alan Stern provides another update on the gone from a tiny bleeping ball in pioneering work of New Horizons.
    [Show full text]
  • Craters on (101955) Bennu's Boulders
    EPSC Abstracts Vol. 14, EPSC2020-502, 2020, updated on 30 Sep 2021 https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2020-502 Europlanet Science Congress 2020 © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Craters on (101955) Bennu’s boulders Ronald-Louis Ballouz1, Kevin Walsh2, William Bottke2, Daniella DellaGiustina1, Manar Al Asad3, Patrick Michel4, Chrysa Avdellidou4, Marco Delbo4, Erica Jawin5, Erik Asphaug1, Olivier Barnouin6, Carina Bennett1, Edward Bierhaus7, Harold Connolly1,8, Michael Daly9, Terik Daly6, Dathon Golish1, Jamie Molaro10, Maurizio Pajola11, Bashar Rizk1, and the OSIRIS-REx mini-crater team* 1Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA 2Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA 3University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada 4Laboratoire Lagrange, Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Nice, France 5Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA 6The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA, (7) Lockheed Martin Space, Little-ton, CO, USA 7Lockheed Martin Space, Littleton, CO, USA, 8Dept. of Geology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA 9York University, Toronto, Canada 10Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA 11INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Padova, Padova, Italy *A full list of authors appears at the end of the abstract Introduction: The OSIRIS-REx mission’s observation campaigns [1] using the PolyCam instrument, part of the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) [2 3], have returned images of the surface of near-Earth asteroid (NEA) (101955) Bennu. These unprecedented-resolution images resolved cavities on Bennu’s boulders (Fig. 1) that are near-circular in shape and have diameters ranging from 5 cm to 5 m.
    [Show full text]
  • The Orbital-Hub: Low Cost Platform for Human Spaceflight After ISS
    67th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Guadalajara, Mexico, 26-30 September 2016. Copyright ©2016 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved. IAC-16, B3,1,9,x32622 The Orbital-Hub: Low Cost Platform for Human Spaceflight after ISS O. Romberga, D. Quantiusa, C. Philpota, S. Jahnkea, W. Seboldta, H. Dittusb, S. Baerwaldeb, H. Schlegelc, M. Goldd, G. Zamkad, R. da Costae, I. Retate, R. Wohlgemuthe, M. Langee a German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Bremen, Germany, [email protected] b German Aerospace Center (DLR), Executive Board, Space Research and Technology, Cologne, Germany, c European Space Agency (ESA) Contractor, Johnson Space Center, Houston, USA, d Bigelow Aerospace, Las Vegas / Washington, USA, e Airbus DS, Bremen, Germany Abstract The International Space Station ISS demonstrates long-term international cooperation between many partner governments as well as significant engineering and programmatic achievement mostly as a compromise of budget, politics, administration and technological feasibility. A paradigm shift to use the ISS more as an Earth observation platform and to more innovation and risk acceptance can be observed in the development of new markets by shifting responsibilities to private entities and broadening research disciplines, demanding faster access by users and including new launcher and experiment facilitator companies. A review of worldwide activities shows that all spacefaring nations are developing their individual programmes for the time after ISS. All partners are basically still interested in LEO and human spaceflight as discussed by the ISECG. ISS follow-on activities should comprise clear scientific and technological objectives combined with the long term view on space exploration.
    [Show full text]
  • European Space Camp – 2017
    European Space Camp – 2017 Participants Celine Victoria Berg-Hansen From: Norway Description: Hello, my name is Celine and I am from Sortland in Northern Norway. I am 18 years old. When I am not doing homework, I am most likely reading a book or watching Netflix. I have been to the Aurora Space Center on multiple occasions since it is so close to where I live. But I am really excited to go back there for ESC 2017! Roommate description: Celine was an awesome roommate, we got along very well. She is such a sweet and kind person. We were able to have many interesting conversations and coordinated getting up in the morning - not always the nicest task haha. Adrian StokdalOpheim From: Norway Description: Hello! My name is Adrian, i am 18 years old and live just outside the city of Trondheim in the middle of Norway. From a young age i have always been fascinated by space and all its hidden mysteries. Not only space itself, but also rockets, satellites and all of the other technology involved. I also love making things and, using the tools and machines in our garage, i have done a few projects the last couple of years. When i don't do homework/schoolwork i usually spend my time on these projects or outdoors training. I have been doing a sport called "orienteering" since i was eight, and still do my best to acheive the best possible results in competition. Orienteering is a typical scandinavian sport where the goal is to run a course, with several controls, set on a map at the shortest amount of time.
    [Show full text]
  • Bennu: Implications for Aqueous Alteration History
    RESEARCH ARTICLES Cite as: H. H. Kaplan et al., Science 10.1126/science.abc3557 (2020). Bright carbonate veins on asteroid (101955) Bennu: Implications for aqueous alteration history H. H. Kaplan1,2*, D. S. Lauretta3, A. A. Simon1, V. E. Hamilton2, D. N. DellaGiustina3, D. R. Golish3, D. C. Reuter1, C. A. Bennett3, K. N. Burke3, H. Campins4, H. C. Connolly Jr. 5,3, J. P. Dworkin1, J. P. Emery6, D. P. Glavin1, T. D. Glotch7, R. Hanna8, K. Ishimaru3, E. R. Jawin9, T. J. McCoy9, N. Porter3, S. A. Sandford10, S. Ferrone11, B. E. Clark11, J.-Y. Li12, X.-D. Zou12, M. G. Daly13, O. S. Barnouin14, J. A. Seabrook13, H. L. Enos3 1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA. 2Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA. 3Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 4Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. 5Department of Geology, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA. 6Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA. 7Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. 8Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. 9Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA. 10NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA, USA. 11Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA. 12Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, Downloaded from USA. 13Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 14John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA. *Corresponding author. E-mail: Email: [email protected] The composition of asteroids and their connection to meteorites provide insight into geologic processes that occurred in the early Solar System.
    [Show full text]
  • INPE) MCTI Çp ' Acordo Operação Técnica COPERNICUS Entre ESA,AEB E INPE (0026237) SEI 01350.001611/2018-03 / Pg
    ORIGINAL N° 1 Copernicus Space Component Technical Operating Arrangement ESA - Brazilian Space Agency and INPE (INPE) MCTI çp ' Acordo Operação Técnica COPERNICUS entre ESA,AEB E INPE (0026237) SEI 01350.001611/2018-03 / pg. 1 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background....................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Purpose and objectives ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Scope................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4 References......................................................................................................................... 6 2 EUROPEAN ACCESS TO BRAZILIAN EO MISSIONS AND CALIBRATION DATA AND PARTNER IN-SITU DATA ............................................................. 7 3 ARRANGEMENT OF TECHNICAL INTERFACES ....................................... 8 3.1 Technical Arrangement Types.......................................................................................... 8 4 INTERNATIONALARCHIVING AND DISSEMINATION CENTRES, MIRRORSITE ................................................................................................ 9 4.1 Invohred Entities............................................................................................................... 9 4.2 INPE Activity
    [Show full text]
  • Mawrth Vallis, Mars: a Fascinating Place for Future in Situ Exploration
    Mawrth Vallis, Mars: a fascinating place for future in situ exploration François Poulet1, Christoph Gross2, Briony Horgan3, Damien Loizeau1, Janice L. Bishop4, John Carter1, Csilla Orgel2 1Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France 2Institute of Geological Sciences, Planetary Sciences and Remote Sensing Group, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany 3Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. 4SETI Institute/NASA-ARC, Mountain View, CA, USA Corresponding author: François Poulet, IAS, Bâtiment 121, CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France; email: [email protected] Running title: Mawrth: a fascinating place for exploration 1 Abstract After the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory rover, both NASA and ESA initiated a selection process for potential landing sites for the Mars2020 and ExoMars missions, respectively. Two ellipses located in the Mawrth Vallis region were proposed and evaluated during a series of meetings (3 for Mars2020 mission and 5 for ExoMars). We describe here the regional context of the two proposed ellipses as well as the framework of the objectives of these two missions. Key science targets of the ellipses and their astrobiological interests are reported. This work confirms the proposed ellipses contain multiple past Martian wet environments of subaerial, subsurface and/or subaqueous character, in which to probe the past climate of Mars, build a broad picture of possible past habitable environments, evaluate their exobiological potentials and search for biosignatures in well-preserved rocks. A mission scenario covering several key investigations during the nominal mission of each rover is also presented, as well as descriptions of how the site fulfills the science requirements and expectations of in situ martian exploration.
    [Show full text]
  • UK Space Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19 HC2258
    Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19 HC 2258 Delivering an excellent space programme with the maximum economic, scientific and policy benefit for the UK UK Space Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19 Presented to the House of Commons pursuant to section 7 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 4 July 2019. HC 2258 © Crown copyright 2019 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available on our website at: www.gov.uk/official-documents Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at [email protected] ISBN 978-1-5286-1332-3 CCS0519290152 07/19 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum. Printed in the UK on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. UK SPACE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018-19 CONTENTS PERFORMANCE REPORT Overview 6 Chief Executive’s statement 7 Highlights in 2018-19 8 About the UK Space Agency 11 What could stop us achieving our objectives? 12 Our finances 14 Our people 18 Performance Analysis 20 How we have performed 21 2018-19 performance in detail 27 Our plans for the future 37 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT Audit Committee Chairman 39 Corporate Governance 40 Director’s Report 41 Statement of Accounting Officer’s responsibilities 45 Governance Statement 46 Remuneration and Staff Report 57 Parliamentary Accountability and Audit 69 The certificate and report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the House of Commons 70 ACCOUNTS Financial Statements 76 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2019 80 Glossary 93 3 PERFORMANCE REPORT OVERVIEW 6 UK SPACE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018-19 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT Stevenage for an event that unveiled the winning name.
    [Show full text]
  • Looking for Volcanic Ash Deposits Within the Interior Layered Deposits of Valles Marineris, Mars – Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Ash Falls and Flows
    47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 2752.pdf LOOKING FOR VOLCANIC ASH DEPOSITS WITHIN THE INTERIOR LAYERED DEPOSITS OF VALLES MARINERIS, MARS – PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ASH FALLS AND FLOWS. M.A. Matiella Novak1, C. Viviano-Beck1, K. Seelos1 and D. Buczkowski1 , 1Johns Hopkins Univer- sity Applied Physics Laboratory, 11101 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723. Introduction: Candor, Ophir, and Ganges Chas- ing the record of volcanic ash deposits on Mars could mata, located within Valles Marineris, Mars, contain also provide this same type of stratigraphic correlation Interior Layered Deposits (ILDs). Previous geologic on a regional or even global scale. The presence of mapping has shown that ILDs are regional formations volcanic ash falls within the chasmata ILDs of Valles and contain deposits that are widespread through Val- Marineris have been suggested by numerous studies, les Marineris. While the formation of these features e.g., [2],[3],[5],[6], as well the presence of consolidat- remains somewhat enigmatic, one leading hypothesis ed volcanic ash material (i.e. welded tuffs) [1]. With suggests that some layers within the ILDs may be com- its close proximity to the Tharsis Volcanic Plateau, the posed of explosive volcanic deposits, comparable to presence of diverse types of volcanic material within the Bishop Tuff ignimbrite of Long Valley Caldera, the ILDs is likely. Furthermore, if volcanoes in this CA [1]. region are the source of ash layers within the ILDs then This investigation aims to advance our understand- it’s reasonable to assume that the physical characteris- ing of how volcanic deposits may have come to exist tics of these deposits would change in both thickness within these chasmata and how subsequent surface and particle size with distance from the source, and in processes altered these deposits.
    [Show full text]